/r/AskHistorians only answers questions that are about events of more than 20 years ago, so it can't answer questions about Diana's death.

However, in Diana's life more generally, she was famous and popular partly because of her humanitarian work, and because she was seen as the "people's princess" at a time when the royal family was being seen as more and more antiquated. The drama of her life - her divorce, especially - made her even more exciting to tabloids, and more famous in the general eye.

This submission has been removed because it involves current events. To keep from discussion of politics, we have a 20-year rule here. You may want to try /r/askSocialScience, /r/AskUK, or another current-events focused sub.

In retrospect, she was the first reality star. A pretty, quiet, normal girl-next-door catches the eye of a true prince, and quickly becomes a true princess, complete with an incredible wedding that was watched by the entire world. It was a real-life fairly tale that every woman could relate to, no matter what country she came from.

Every detail of her amazimg life and marriage was played out in the press imcluding beautiful children, parties, travel, etc. But after a while sordid stuff began to emerge - his mistress, the arrogant royal family, bulimia, suicide attempts, affairs, etc, and finally divorce. Then a tragic death just as she was about to find happiness, with perhaps a touch of royal intrigue and conspiracy.

The real-life fairly tale be.came a real-life soap opera before reality show became a thing. She was the first reality star.